THE Judge at the local District Court house, having heard the evidence in a case for theft of a bunch of plantains, said to the plaintiff: “What did you say you did for a living”? Through the interpreter he happily said: “I am a seer “(A gardeur). To this response the Judge then directed him to “go to the window and tell me what you see coming”. The old man dutifully went to the widow but returned with an “I see nothing” answer, even if the process had been repeated three times. The Judge in his usual emphatic and no-nonsense manner echoed: “So you mean to tell me that you did not see six months at Her Majesty’s Prison coming?”
After completing his jail sentence, the individual did not return to his community but took residence elsewhere. Undoubtedly, shame and humiliation had overwhelmed him. Moreso, he feared the ridicule that awaited him and so a self-imposed exile was put into effect. To his death, he never returned to that community. Have you not had your moment of humiliation, shame, fear and anguish?
I was driven to pen this article when during the church service of the 1st Sunday in Advent the previous year, the congregation was alerted thus: “Fear is the most crippling of all emotions and there are many things in life and in the world that make us afraid.” We were further admonished that: “We lacked integrity because we were afraid to be ourselves”. Finally, we were advised to stand erect, to hold our heads high and allow confidence to dwell in us”. That in itself is a mammoth task especially if you do not possess the strength of character and an indomitable spirit to combat the foes in our midst.
I then pondered and thought, but how can we stand confidently erect, when so much is happening in our society today? Fear abounds in every nook and cranny and in every sphere of life. One fears to: a) speak one’s mind in one’s organization, b) walk the streets alone in fading lights, c) relax in a parked vehicle in a quiet location on a public beach, d) admonish or correct an indisciplined child and e) offer advice or make a positive contribution to community development. Oh! How much one fears to face marginalization, rejection and ridicule because one does not belong to the inner circle or group. How often has one been embarrassed by the powers that be, because one dared to stand in opposition to an idea or proposal? Countless times no doubt I am assured.
The death of Nelson Mandela, the first black President of South Africa, prompted me to revisit the subject of fear. We are all so traumatized by death, whether it was a sudden or expected one. I noted that his death had awoken the humane sensitivities of many world leaders and in particular those of our region were no exception. The utterances of praise, profound sympathy and a feeling of abject loss flowed glibly from many lips for the fallen hero. His many years of struggle, sacrifice and imprisonment, taught him the real value of reconciliation and forgiveness. He showed love and empathy to those who hated him and made peace with them, despite how aggrieved he was by the savagery meted to the majority of the South African people by a despotic regime. How well were the lessons taught by Mandela embraced and practiced by us and our leaders today? Many rode on the crest and hype of a moment, but no sooner the dust settled, they returned to their exclusive and divisive nature and practices.
Nelson Mandela believed and placed his faith in the harmony of the external being and the strength of the innermost spirit, as he struggled to bring democracy and freedom to all his people. He never allowed his fears to overwhelm him. He once said: “I have learnt that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. That the brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear”. Today, I am led to believing that some of our leaders harbour fear, even to do what is right and proper for the good of our institutions, our country and its people. This apparent weakness is because of a sick notion that those who did not vote or support them, may likely benefit from sound decisions taken and so, impediments are often placed in the way of those who don’t fall in the category of favourite or supporter. There are those who, because the power or trappings of high office have slipped their grasps, are hell bent on destroying and misleading in a sly and mischievous way in order to cause mayhem in the society. An element of just plain cruelty I believe.
As an individual, you have found your calling and so, like most, you must make yourself a useful and honest contributor to the society and your fellowmen. The life of each of us is of immeasurable significance to all who share this space, this country and the world. To use one’s office, achievements and powers to instill fear and make someone’s life a living hell is nothing short of wickedness and tyrannical in scope and outlook. Should one who finds himself/herself in this predicament (life made a living hell), pack his/her belongings and find harbour elsewhere or in a strange land? It was never intended for our lives to be made a living hell. Therefore, you must educate yourself and be prepared to muster the strength and courage necessary to fight honourably against all manner of fear and to weather the challenges of victimsation, divisiveness, deprivation and tribalism. Just remember that “nothing lasts forever”. Many thought Mandela would have died in prison but alas! His determination, patience, strength and courage saw him through. Of his actions, great lessons can be learnt and of his life, a fine example for today’s leaders to emulate.
Here in St. Lucia, many of us had the distinct privilege of serving with the late Sir John G. M. Compton, the father of the nation, in various capacities and can vouch for the fearless nature of the man to the very end. One wonders why. The countless challenges (political and otherwise), he faced during his sojourn here with us, can but only serve to provide fuel and potent sustenance for our own journey here. I need not remind us of the relentless attacks on his person and opposition protests on his goverment’s policies. But, I must here recall the Pigeon Island Causeway, the Rodney Bay Marina, the Hess Oil Storage Depot and the Tunnels/ Millennium Road. All have given new life, uplifted and ensured an unbridled enhancement to the social and economicalwell being of the areas they adorn. The northern quadrant was well taken care of and the unfolding vision smacks us all in the face today.
Yet, in this era, those who seek to influence or improve our fortunes, seemingly do this with little or no regard for us and even without our knowledge. They just shove it down our throats. I am assured that the days of the black bottles are no more and that information drives the business of the day and the progress associated thereto. If the citizenry is given a minute opportunity to share in a well-conceived plan for their development, it would auger well for the realization and advancement of all concerned. Therefore, unlike the GRYNBERG SEA BED Agreement, the ROCHAMEL and HELEN AIR AFFAIRS or THE Juffali debacle, I urge the powers that be, to inform and educate the people, particularly those whose lives will likely be impacted by the proposed DSH projects.
There are those among us who believe it is their right and bounding duty to keep a section of the society in servitude through ignorance, thus encouraging the dependency syndrome. We cannot allow ourselves to be kept back, as in the creole proverbial saying, “Kon de’ talon”, while they pursue their narrow selfish interest at the altar of economic or political expediency. We must be mindful though, that our patrimony or heritage is not given away at the risk of rendering our people powerless, deprived or strangers in its own land. Is Vieux Fort given to 99 year leases? One recounts the establishment of the US Base, its appendages and ultimate closure which prompted the question by a well know Vieux Fortian: “After the closing of the base, what”? (Answer: “Vieux Fort suffers”).We have suffered too much and for too long.
Succeeding governments have constantly lauded the developmental possibilities and favourableness of the area but this eventuality continues to evade us. The time for the reversal of the fortunes of this area and the upward mobility of its people cannot be further postponed or disrupted. The powers that be must seek to sell the vision with honesty, sincerity and purpose. It cannot be done in isolation or with the non-involvement of the people. One should allow little or no room for the promulgation of personal dislikes or hatred, as a result of personal discontent or failings, upon an unsuspecting public. I again call for a sobering moment for all sides to reflect and hold frank, yet sensible discourse in the quest to secure the best results for the advancement of Vieux Fort and its environs.
People by nature are fearful of the unknown. This past Advent, the reading from the Holy Writ encouraged us not to fear. “BE NOT AFRAID”! This is not an admonishment to cower out quietly or desist from asking pertinent questions on issues that are of concern to us and our well being. For those who believe that we should not live a life of deprivation, the message of hope, trust and the casting out of the negative outlook, during the recent festive season, speaks volumes. Did some of us not chant: “Fear not said he, for mighty dread had seized their troubled minds; Glad tidings of great joy, I bring to you and all mankind”. I leave the rest for the Theologians among us. Please, I urge you, do not burn down the house to kill the mosquito. For like the northern quadrant, I dream of a developed and prosperous Vieux Fort, where desirable and well-intended projects/investments, once accomplished, could improve the lives of all citizens.